Eating well as a couple: Tips for better health and connection

“Let’s go for drinks and dinner tonight!” – Sharing food is often part of the dating experience. We also express care and affection by cooking our partner’s favorite food, and getting to know their family usually happens whilst sharing a tasteful meal, too – no wonder many couples gain weight during their first year in the relationship. In most relationships, food is the first of many “shared items”.

Food Sharing In Relationships

There are four levels of food sharing in relationships, each expressing a certain level of connection: no sharing, sharing voluntarily, sharing with consubstantiation, and feeding. Feeding shows the strongest intimacy in a couple – think of a freshly married couple feeding each other the first piece of their wedding cake, for example.

Here are tips to eat well as a couple for better health and connection

Each partner might bring different knowledge about nutrition to the relationship: Instead of criticizing your partner for their strict diet, aim to understand their motives behind it, you can learn from each other by sharing your favorite ingredients and recipes to expand your culinary horizon. Eating well as a couple can easily become teamwork – you may plan and prepare your meals together as a bonding activity to promote connectedness.

Healthy Diets In Relationships

A healthy diet is a commitment a couple makes, it is based on mutual support. You might negotiate about “cheat days” with a focus on the common goal: Whilst some couples stick to a healthy diet to stay in shape, others wish to lose weight. Your connection can grow stronger if you communicate openly about your personal goals and boundaries to find common ground.

Food And How Can It Be Used In The World

Food is something you can use to encourage others to eat fresh vegetables and fruit more often. Thereby, you’ll reach goals together. We’re often being influenced – in positive and negative ways, so our partner eating junk food regularly can help us with adjusting to it.
Remember, your lifestyle choices will impact not only your partner but also your children.

Reflecting’s Important Here

Research shows that many people share meals whilst watching TV – this can increase the amount we eat. Make time for the meal to connect with your partner – actively exploring the four levels of food sharing.

Best Interests at Heart In The Relationship

Your partner has your best interest at heart and vice versa, and this means mutual support in making healthier choices. If eating together is difficult, preparing a meal for your partner could help – this shows that you’re caring for them.

References
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/understanding-health-behaviors/202304/7-strategies-for-healthy-eating-in-your-relationship
https://blogs.belmont.edu/communications/2017/11/17/the-significance-of-food-sharing-and-feeding-in-romantic-relationships/